Mail-it-in Friday: Who is the LeBron James of the NFL?

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers does his ritual chalk toss before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at The Quicken Loans Arena on November 10, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NBAE via Getty Images)

Oh, it's so close.

The start of the NFL regular season is just days -- DAYS!!! -- away, and despite a recent rash of unfortunate injuries, the excitement level continues to build. However, as we study for our fantasy drafts and start making Sunday plans, there's something that needs to be discussed.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles made news earlier this month when he declared himself to be the "LeBron of the NFL." Seems like a typically innocent and light-hearted comment you would normally find in a notebook story in the local paper. But then Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson decided he wouldn't take that lying down as he told a reporter:

"I'm the LeBron," Peterson said. "I can't knock Jamaal; he's a good friend of mine. But the one thing I always tell people is, 'If you don't think that you're the best, how will you ever become the best?' So I can't knock him, but I definitely have to say I'm the LeBron James."

Sorry, guys. We're not going to let you bestow the mythical title of "LeBron James of the NFL" on yourselves. That's bush league. We're going to settle this issue once and for all in this edition of Mail-it-in Friday.

Who do you think is the LeBron James of the NFL?

LET THE SILLINESS BEGIN

RIP,

Yeah, yeah. J.J. Watt is Captain America. He's a gritty competitor, the hardest worker and a shining example for the country's youth.

I know this is because I'm truly a bad person, but he's getting on my nerves just a tad. He's too ... perfect. Must he be so good at his job, humble AND handsome?

What the hell, J.J.? Want take it easy a bit? You're making the rest of us schlubs looks bad. It's not up to me to improve. You must be the one to meet us underachievers halfway.

Philip Rivers,

I'm not trying to be impolite or unwelcoming, but I have my doubts that you're really Philip Rivers. Then again, I went to college and developed the ability to solve complex problems.

I also noticed your Twitter profile name is FauxPhilipRiver. That was also a big clue.

But that joke you made ... seems like something the real Philip Rivers would say, so I don't know. Here's something I know for sure: The Real or Fake Philip Rivers would not qualify as the LeBron James of the NFL.

By the way, the only one of your comments you could even apply to Tony Romo is "can't win the big one." I have no retort for that since he indeed hasn't won the big one yet.

Yet.

Akinwumi,

I would totally agree with you, except you're wrong. There is one player in NFL history who has appeared in five consecutive Super Bowls.

Feast your eyes on:

Who is that, you ask? That strapping young man is Gale Gilbert. During a four-year stretch in the 1990s, he was the backup quarterback for the Buffalo Bills teams that played -- and lost -- in four straight Super Bowls.

The year after that final defeat, he was a part of the San Diego Chargers squad that reached the Big Game only to be demolished by the Steve Young-led San Francisco 49ers.

Fun fact: Gale Gilbert's son is Garrett Gilbert, a current backup quarterback with the Detroit Lions.

And for the record, the elder or younger Gilbert can't compare to LeBron James.

Eric,

Unless he was on your fantasy team in 2013 and missed a bunch of games with a shoulder injury.

By the way, I still won the title that year. #HumbleBrag

K!d,

Good one! LBJ and Beast Mode are physical freaks of nature. But has LeBron ever made the Earth shake?

It could very well be that Lynch > James. Just sayin'.

Josh,

Can't argue with that logic. The only hole I would poke in your theory is that Michael Jordan never gakked two NBA Finals to a team that barely made the playoffs.

Seriously, Tom Brady, how in the world did you lose to the New York Giants twice?

Yung,

I was about to say you're being a tad harsh about LeBron's hairline, but then I saw this photo:

I don't know what's going on up there, but Larry Fitzgerald has him beat by a mile.

Samantha,

I have to agree. Peyton Manning most fits the bill when it comes to career resume.

Both players get undue heat for not winning "the big one" even though both are undeniably the most talented players in their respective sports.

When both players are on, there is nobody better. Unfortunately, in today's "win a championship or you suck" sports world we live in, that's never good enough.

Devin,

Sorry, Peyton and LeBron. Devin is the one saying it, not me. I love and respect both of you.

Shaun,

In terms of being naturally gifted athletes? Sure. In every other aspect? No, can't agree.

However, Cam does do a pretty good imitation of LeBron's signature celebration.

Maybe that's good enough for some people.

Jabz,

Bitter Lions fan. You're gonna have to get over that playoff loss from last season. Live in the now!

Jon,

Ehhhh. Let's let Jameis get out of his first preseason unscathed before we break out the anointing oil. He's done some good things thus far, but he still has a lot to prove.

Stal,

Brett. Swain.

Thanks, Stal, for answering the question in a serious manner. Just goes to show there's one in every mailbag.

OK, folks! We've had enough silliness for one week. See you next time!